The 2012 season saw St Louis improve considerably from the 2-14 record of the previous year. Finishing 7-8-1, the Rams showed that they could be competitive in most games, although it is worrying that the team failed to turn up at all against both New England and the Jets. Still, we could have gone 6-0 within our division with just a little more luck and we are a young team with four first round picks over the next two NFL drafts, so the sky's the limit for this franchise.

The signs are encouraging, then; this franchise should be looking for a push towards the playoffs in 2013. However, to reach the post-season, the Rams need to improve in key areas. Despite not giving up a sack in the last game of 2012 in Seattle, the Rams' offensive line still doesn't inspire total confidence. Are Barry Richardson, Wayne Hunter and Joe Barksdale enough at the RT spot or do we need to find a better starter there? Similarly, do we keep what we have at left guard (with Rokevious Watkins to come back, let's not forget) or do we draft a stud, such as Chance Warmack, at that position?

At this time of year, fans of non-playoff teams naturally start to look towards the draft and the Rams also need to strengthen the wide receiving corps, the safety position and the strongside linebacker spot. Ideally, we'd improve all three (as well as the offensive line) through a combination of free agency and the draft, but which single position is our biggest need?

According to The Football Database, the Rams lead the league in penalties, having accrued 130 of them over the regular season. That's nine more than Baltimore, who lie second in the table. All penalties are costly but we would have won in San Francisco but for a successful Greg Zuerlein field goal being negated due to a delay of game call, to name but one example of a crucial penalty being committed. Our young team needs to improve its discipline, clearly, but is this the single biggest improvement we could make?

Since Gregg Williams was suspended for his part in the Saints' "Bountygate" scandal, the Rams haven't had a true defensive coordinator, with defensive schemes orchestrated instead by a committee comprised of assistant head coach Dave McGinnis, secondary coach Chuck Cecil and linebackers coach (and son of Gregg) Blake Williams. The committee approach seems to be working, with the team finishing 14th overall and 15th in terms of points allowed in the 2012 regular season but how much of this is down to quality coaching as opposed to just having talented players? Even a cursory look through the forum's game day threads will reveal many posters tearing their hair out at our soft coverage. Do we need a dedicated defensive coordinator above all else?

As previously mentioned, in an ideal world we'd address all of these issues and enter 2013 as a championship calibre squad. However, real life seldom works out like that and progress is normally incremental; the aim of this thread is to establish what we, the fans, think is the single change which would make the most difference to this franchise in 2013.

A very happy New Year to you all!_________________I watched the Rams at Wembley and stayed until the bitter end.

The penalties have been too costly this year, had we not had all the penalties against Seattle on Sunday the game could have had a much different outcome. We beat ourselves more than anyone else has this year.

Discipline is by far the most concerning. If we could cut the penalties in half, I'll bet we're a 10 win team. Seems like there were a lot of QB-Receiver miscommunications as well.

I thought it would be a long season but it was truly exciting. Playoffs would be nice but at least we can say we didn't lose to the 49ers once & we weren't eliminated until week 16. _________________Go Rams!

How big of a need is outside linebacker? Isn't Rocky Mcintosh and Haggan both free agents? who's going to start on that side next year?

They both will be Free Agents. Fisher doesn't prioritize that position (SLB) considering how much we are in Nickel defense in some games. My hope is that we get a athletic WLB in the draft and move Dunbar to SLB. Make the defense faster and get a LB that can stick with backs and tight ends in the passing game.

How big of a need is outside linebacker? Isn't Rocky Mcintosh and Haggan both free agents? who's going to start on that side next year?

They both will be Free Agents. Fisher doesn't prioritize that position (SLB) considering how much we are in Nickel defense in some games. My hope is that we get a athletic WLB in the draft and move Dunbar to SLB. Make the defense faster and get a LB that can stick with backs and tight ends in the passing game.